Maplecroft Downgrades Qatar to ‘Extreme Risk’ for Working Conditions

Qatar is one of the worst places in the world to work, according to a global index aimed at multinationals trying to assess reputational and operational risks.

The Persian Gulf state rose to the 32nd riskiest country to work in from 60th last year, according an index published last week by Maplecroft Global Risk Analytics, a London research firm. It adds to growing fallout over poor working conditions and allegations of forced labor for thousands of migrant workers helping build infrastructure ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Reports in the U.K.’s The Guardian last year revealed a rash of deaths among Nepalese workers and evidence of forced labor.

Human rights groups have repeatedly criticized Persian Gulf countries over their labor records in recent years. The region relies heavily on cheap imported labor from Asia, the Indian subcontinent and Africa to feed an energy-financed building boom, but reports of exploitation and mistreatment are rampant.

While Qatar rose far in Maplecroft’s index, other Middle Eastern countries rank higher. Syria tied with Eritrea and North Korea as the worst places in the world to work. Egypt, meanwhile, rose 29 places to 26th.